Understanding Epilepsy

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It can affect anyone at any age. “What happens is the brain discharges electricity, and it manifests itself by jerking and loss of consciousness. It’s kind of frightening to look at,” explained Dr. Jon Brillman, a neurologist with Lee Health.

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which the brain activity becomes abnormal—causing seizures. “There are all grades of epilepsy. There’s what we call grand mal, which is the seizure that is the most frightening to look at where people fall down and shake all over and lose consciousness. But there are minor seizures also, which may just be staring spells, or a blank look, or memory failure, or a dreamy like state and all of these can be treated,” said Dr. Brillman.

Doctors say epilepsy can be caused by genetics, a tumor, a stroke, even trauma, especially if it’s penetrating trauma where the brain was injured.

Patients with epilepsy may experience warning symptoms before a seizure. “They have what are called auras which are warnings--actually, they are part of the seizure. Many patients can feel when a seizure is coming on. They may have some jerks in their extremities first, or they may just feel weird. But most patients can identify when they are going to have a seizure just by the feelings they have,” said Dr. Billman.

Seizures can be treated with medication. “if you have one seizure after another, they can cause some brain damage, but an isolated seizure in and of itself usually doesn’t cause any further brain damage,” he said.

Patients with epilepsy are at risk for injuring themselves during a seizure—making it important for patients to seek medical care if they believe they have suffered a seizure.

[lachellewade]

I have seizure epilepsy my name is lachelle Wade 😢😢😢😢😮😮😮😮

[cake_pie]

Hello I have epilepsy. I’ve had it for 8 years now I had a stroke before I was born. That’s left me with Epilepsy AND CP. Now I have to clean up this mess that the stroke left me with. It isn’t fair at all. I ask myself everyday why me? I didn’t even have a chance. I’m on two different types of medication. I have to take it twice a day. Now I’m 10 years old.

[moscoweagle]

I have seizures too but recently when I feel something coming on my eyes plays tricks on me and feel dizzy and sometimes anxiety but in less then a minute later it’s done idk why I have this but I will say I hate it still can’t drive because I’m afraid of having one when behind the wheel

[JA-efww]

I can’t feel it. Idk. I’ve had four while sleeping Lose memory. On medicine now and things are better. But damn What has happened